HDR to Conduct Feasibility Study for Solar and Storage Project in Mozambique

WHN Solar has selected HDR International, Inc. to conduct a feasibility study for a solar project in Mozambique. The study will assess the viability of a photovoltaic plant of up to 100 megawatts, to be developed in increments of 20-40 MW. HDR is serving as the prime contractor for the feasibility study.

The proposed solar energy plant will be located at the Nacala International Airport in the Province of Nampula in Mozambique. A key feature of the plant is an energy storage facility with up to 50 MW capacity, which would be located adjacent to the plant.

The project is being funded by a grant for almost $1.2 million, which was conferred by the U.S. Trade and Development Agency. Assisting WHN Solar with grant funding was Fieldstone, Africa’s leading independent investment bank in energy and infrastructure. Fieldstone Africa Investment Resources will serve as project development and financial advisor.

The project forms part of the Mozambique government’s initiative to establish universal access to electricity by 2030. The government has been actively promoting the use of renewable energy projects, specifically solar and hydropower. Once it reaches full scale, the Nacala solar project will be the largest in Mozambique.

In addition to HDR, U.S. firms involved in the project include Marathon Engineering, which will provide engineering, geotechnical and energy support; Covington and Burling for international legal counsel, and ERM, which will undertake environmental and social work streams. Mozambican entities include Couto, Graça e Associados, providing legal counsel, and Norconsult Mozambique, which will assist with a grid study.

“USTDA is pleased to support this important project that will help diversify Mozambique’s energy generation mix,” said Paul Marin, USTDA’s acting regional director for Sub-Saharan Africa. “At the same time, the project represents business opportunities for U.S. companies in a key sector in Mozambique.”

“Speaking on behalf of HDR’s entire power group, we are excited to help the government of Mozambique develop its vision for universal access to electricity using renewable sources,” said Lisa Larson, international power client development lead for HDR. “We are grateful to WHN Solar for providing this opportunity and our team is ready to get to work.”